Permutation-lock



(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

M. B. MILLS.

PERMUTATION 1.00K.

No. 418,820. Patented Deo. 3l, 1889.

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(Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

B. MILLS.

PBRMUTATION 1.00K. No. 418,320. Patented Deo. 31, 1889.

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MORTIMER B. MILLS, OF CHICAGO,- ILLINOIS.

PERMUTATlON-LOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 418,320, dated December 31, 1889.

Application iiled February 19, 1889. Serial No. 300,430. (Model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, Honra/IER B. MILLS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Permutation-Locks, of which the following is a specification. g

My invention relates to an improvementin the class of lock the construction of which adapts it to be set to a certain combination necessary to be produced in order to permit the bolt to be shot backward to permit opening of the barrier to the inclosure locked by the device.

My improvement may be used for any of the various purposes for which permutationlocks are commonly employed, including the application to safes; but I design it Inore particularly for use on the doors of houses and rooms, or analogous inclosures in'houses, and also, in a somewhat modified form, for desk and other drawers. Inasmuch, therefore, as I have invented my improved device part-icularly for application to doors, for the sake of convenience, and to avoid 'prolixity, I coniine the description hereinafter contained and the drawings to the device as applied to such doors, and show and describe it also in the form which adapts it for use on drawers.

One obj ect of my invention is to provide a permutation -lock of such simple and readily operative construction that the internal gear- Wheels may be formed in the least expensive manner-that is to say, by merely casting them, and without requiring them to be subsequently handled for finishing.

Still another obj ect, particularly in connection with the doors referred to, is to provide novel means for setting the locking mechanism to prevent, when desired, its performing its locking function, even by disturbing the unlocking-combination, and for permitting a door locked by the device to be readily unlocked from the inner side of the door without thereby affecting the combination to which the permntationdock may have been reduced in disturbing the opening-combination 5 and it is, iinally, my obj ect to provide a generally-improved construction of permutation-locks.

To these ends my invention consists in the general construction of my improved device and it further consists in details of construction and combinations of parts.

In the accompanying' drawings, Figure l 55 presents a view in elevation of my improved lock as seen from the outer side of a door, of which a broken portion is shown. Fig. 2 presents the same kind of view as Fig. l, but taken from the inner side of the door. Fig. 6o 3 shows in elevation a rear view of the lock disconnected from the door. Fig. 4 shows lthe same view as is presentedin Fig. 3, but enlarged and having the covering-plate removed to disclose the internal mechanism. Fig. 5 65 shows a modified construction to adapt the lock for use particularly on drawers, the view being like that presented inFig. 4.; and Figs.

6 and 7 are sectional views showing details of construction, being taken, respectively, on 7o the lines 6 6 and 7 of Fig. 4. p

Referring particularly to Fig. 4, and incidentally to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, A is the case, which should be of metal, and, though it may comprise any other suitable construction than 7 5 that shown, involves, especially for use of the device4 on doors, a rectangular face-plate r, having exten ding at a right angle from one lateral edge a flange 0", to be let into the outerl edge of a door K, and having 011 its rear side 8o `(being the same beyond which the iiange r extends) sufficiently far from the other three edges ot' the plate r to leave extensions thereof, flanges r2, extending like the flange r', but narrower than the latter, and forming S5 with it and the plate rl a housing for the internal mechanism hereinafter described. The housing is closed by a covering-plate q, having openings y in line with each other, and serving to permit access to screws o, with 9o which they coincide, for a purpose hereinafter explained, and openings o, to admit screws o through the cover into posts w on the inner side of the plate r, and which screws serve to'secure the cover in place.

The plate r is provided, near its edge opposite that from which the flange r extends, with openings p, Fig. G, anged on the inner side of the plate in any desired number more than one, though three is the number I pro- Ioo vide for the construction shown in Fig. 4, and two for that shown in Fig. 5. Through each opening p is inserted, from the outer side of the plate r, a spindle B, which iits in side the Hange of the opening, and where it extends beyond the same is reduced in diameter to afford a hub or bearing p', Fig. 6, for a ratchet-wheel, hereinafter described, and in the end of the part p of the spindle B is formed a threaded opening to receive ascrew o, which secures or clamps the ratchet-wheel rigidly in place and causes it to turn by turning the spindle. The spindle is prevented from entering the case farther than is necessary by a flange p2, beyond which it terminates in a milled head B'.

The ratchet-wheels C (shown in Fig. 4) are three in number, necessitating a spindle Bin an openin g p foreach, the ratchet-wheels having central openings to fit around the hubs p. The ratchet-wheels may be provided, within proper limits, with any number of teeth, depending upon the number of different combinations desired, which, of course, is further controlled by the number of the wheels employed, which may be two, or as many more than two as desired. As illustrated, I4 provide eighteen teeth in each wheel, and make the space between two teeth on each wheel somewhat deeper, as shown at t, on the respective wheels C than the spaces between the other teeth.

D, D', and D2, as illustrated in Fig. 4, are fiat bars or arms pivoted near their ends adjacent to the flange r', one above the other, to the plate r and extending therefrom nearly to the opposite flange r2, where each is pivoted to a bar E, extending across the ratchetwheels between them and the plate r, and which thus pivotally connect the free ends of the bars D, D', and D2 together, and the `end of the bar E which extends adjacent to the lower ratchet-wheel C should be bent, as shown at s, or otherwise caused to extend over an end of a pivotal dog F, hereinafter described. Pins n project inward, respectively, from the bars D, D', and D2, into the paths of the teeth of the ratchet-wheelsand if the device be used in a vertical position the gravity of the bar and bars pivotally connected with it, or if not used in vertical position a spring m, or, in the former case, the spring assisted by gravity, will serve to maintain the pins n in engagement with the teeth of the respective ratchet-wheels, each of which is prevented from being rotated in more than one direction (toward the right) by a suitable spring-dog l.

Adjacent to the lowermost ratchet-wheel C is pivotally supported on the plate i', to extend across the case, the dog F, the pivot being provided at k behind the center of gravity of the dog. Lengthwise of the dog F extends an ordinary form of spring-bolt G, which projects through an opening in the flange i", and engaging with the spring-bolt is an ordinary .form of sliding spring-pawl G', which is engaged by the double-acting oscillatory pawl G2, through which the stems II' of the knobs H extend, so that by turning a knob Hin either direction the spring-bolt G will be withdrawn into the casing from its normal position of projecting through the ange r'.

Thefparts G, G', G2, H, and H', as thus described, present no features of novelty, being employed in other locks, and are not, as shown to be constructed, essential adj uncts to my improvement; hence I do not describe them more in detail.

On the inner end of the head of the springbolt G, on its upper side, I provide a shoulder t', Fig. 4, adjacent to which' one end of the dog F extends, and with which the dog, owing to the manner of pivoting it at k, tends normally to engage when the lock is used in the vertical position referred to, whereby the bolt G cannot be withdrawn by the mechanism described for the purpose until the end of the dog has been lnoved from its engagement with the head of the bolt. If the lock be not used in vertical position, a sprin g may be employed to produce the desired tendency of the dog F to engage with the bolt G at the shoulder t'.

The release may be eifected in the manner hereinafter described in explaining the operation of the ratchet-wheels and mechanism connected therewith; and it may also be effected from the inner side of the door by turning against the upper side of the shorter end of the dog F a revoluble cam I, actuated from a handle I', Fig. 7, on a stem I2, passed through the door K into the cam, which is confined between lugs h and h', respectively, on the opposing or inner faces of the plates r Aand q. Therefore, when the dog F extends,

as it normally does, between the extremities of the cam, as shown in Fig. 4, the bolt G may, if the ratchet-wheels be set to permit, be withdrawn, and also when the end of the dog adjacent to the cam is forced downward by the latter, since thereby the opposite end of the dog is raised from its engagement with the shoulder i on the head of the springbolt.

On the outer side of the plate fr, adjacent to the respective openings p, are guides g, provided preferably on diametrically-opposite sides ofthe openings, and in the form of pins or in other form recognizable to the touch, and on the flanges p2 of the spindles p are guides f, also preferably in the form of laterally-projecting pins, as shown.

The operation of the device, as illustrated in Fig. 4, is as follows: From the foregoing description of the construction it will be understood that when the ratchet-wheels are in such position (as shown) with relation to the pins n on the pivotal arms D, D', and D2, the pins can enter, respectively, the deeper spaces t, between the teeth of the ratchetwheels, and the bar E is in its lowest or most advanced position toward the dog F, on the short end of which it bears, thereby moving and holding its opposite end out of engagement with the head of the bolt G, which permits the bolt to be shot back and forth. The aim, therefore, in manipulating the lock ICO IIO

f on the iianges p2 of the spindles B.

to permit shooting of the bolt is to bring the ratchet-wheels into the positions described, and shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. After being brought into these positions,if anyone of the ratchet-wheels be turned to bring the pin on the adjacent pivotal transverse bar into a space between another pair of teeth, this space, being shallowerthan thatdescribed as the deeper space, will raise the bar E away from the dog F, thereby allowing its longer end to fall or spring into engagement with the shoulder i', and thus lock the bolt. The setting of the combination to permit shooting of the bolt G is done with reference to the guides gon the outer side of the platerand the guides If with the pins n in the deeper spaces between the teeth of the respective ratchet-wheels the guides fon the flanges be caused to coincide (as they are shown to do) with the guides g say those at the left on Fig. l-on the plate r, whenever the guides are brought into these relative positions the device will unlock, and the operator knowing the combination can without looking and merely by feeling manipulate the knobs I3 to cause the guides to coincide. It is more likely, however, that the combination would be differ ent from that shown and described. Flach turn of a knob B occasions a clicking sound, produced by each passage of a tooth of a ratchet-wheel beyond the adjacent springdog, and also simultaneously a fainter clicking sound, (which, however,is notaudible over that produced by the spring-dog,) occasioned by the passage of a ratchet-tooth beyond a pin n. Therefore,if the iirst or lowermost wheel C be set, for example, as shown `in Fig. fnamely, With the pin n in the space t and the guide f .coincident with the guide r, (on the left,) the second wheel C with the pin n in the space t, and the guidef beyond the guide g, (in line with the aforesaid guide g,) and such a distance beyond as .would be produced by the turning of one tooth of the said wheel C beyond the adjacent pawl Z, which would be indicated by one click of the pawl after bringing the said guides f and g coincident, and the third wheel C with the pin n in the space t, and the guide f beyond the guide g, (in line with the aforesaid guide 9,) and such a distance beyond as would be produced by the turning of two teeth of the uppermost wheel C beyond the adjacent pawl Z, which would be indicated by two clicks of the pawl after bringing the respective guides f and g coincident-then, to permit shooting of the y bolt G by turning the knob I-I on the outer side ofthe door, the operator first brings the guide on each flange p2 of the spindles B coincident with the respectively adjacent guide g on the plate fr, after which he will turn the knob B of the middle wheel C one click and that of the uppermost wheel C two clicks. Obviously the combination maybe changed ad Zbz'tmn by turning the guide on any or each of the anges p2 a certain numpoint of the guide. `g at diametrically-opposite sides of the openber of clicks beyond the coincidence thereof :with the adjacent guide g on the plate r, while the pins n remain in the deeper spaces t.

This may be done, on taking the lock off the door without removing the plate q, by loosening the screw 0 at the adjacent opening in the cover of the spindle B to be turned, which permits the turning to be accomplished with-v out rotating the respective ratchet-wheel to any desired number of clicks (Within the limit of the number of teeth-eighteen-on the ratchet-Wheel) beyond the coinciding By providing the guides ings p in the plate r the combinations can be arranged for nine teeth on each ratchet-wheel, the manipulator then 'selecting either the guides at the right or the left of the openings p from which to calculate the clicks, after bringing the guides on the flanges p2 coincident with them.

In using the lock on, say, the entrancedoor of a house, entrance is gained as readily in the dark as in the light, by any one having knowledge of the combinatiomon turning the knobs B to bring the guides f into coincidence with the guides g, then moving the Iknobs requiring to be moved (if at all) the respective predetermined number of clicks for each, and turning the knob H to shoot the jbolt G. 'that the combination be upset by turning one On gaining entrance it is desirable or more of the knobs B a click, or several clicks, in order that it shall not be open to inspection by any one who might desire to eX- amine and note it. This upsetting of the combination, however, Would prevent backward movement of the bolt G, and consequently closing of the door, were it not that the dog F may then be raised by turning the cam I at the knob I on the inside of the door,

which, when the door has been closed, can be turned back again to permit the dog Fto engage with the shoulder t' on the bolt-head, and

thus prevent turning of the handle H. Vith the door thus locked an inmate of the house,

`to gain egress, has but to turn the knolo I to disengage the dog F from the bolt, and then turn the handle -I-I on the inner side of the door to open it; but unless he leave the knob I so turned and the door thus unlocked he cannot close the latter without first setting the combination from the outside of the door, after doing which and closing the door he should then upset the combination to effect the locking.

Obviously the cam I and parts serving to operate it need not be provided on the lock if applied to a safe or to a drawer, for which last application the construction illustrated in Fig. 5 is desirable. In this modified form of the device I show the smallest number of the ratchet-wheels that will serve my purpose-namely, two; and I dispense with aV IOO TIO

` which it is retracted when the pins n coincide with the spaces t; but when either wheel C is turned to upset such coincidence the bars D and D are lifted beyond the bases of the deeper slots, and thereby shoot the bar E, forming the bolt, out to effect the locking.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a permutation-lock, the combina-tion, with the case of rotatory ratchet-wheels, each having a space between two of its teeth deepened, spindles for turning the ratchet-wheels and adjustably connected therewith to permit at willv turning of the one independently of the other, pins pivotally supported on the case, one for each ratchet-wheel and engaging with teeth thereof, guides for indicating by their relative .positions the starting-points from which to turn the spindles to acquire the combination, dogs engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels and preventing turning thereof in one direction, and a bolt unlocked by the entrance of the said pins into the said deepened spaces between the teeth of the ratchet-wheels and locked by their entrance between other teeth, substantially as described.

2. In a permutation-lock, the combination, with a case A, of rotatory ratchet-wheels U, each having a deepened space t between two of its teeth, spindles B, with which the ratchetwheels are connected, guides f and g, respectively, on the spindles and case and serving to indicate by their relative positions the start- .ing-points from which to turn the spindles to acquire the combination, pivotal arms D, carrying pins n, normally engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-Wheels, a bar E, with which the free ends of the arms D are pivotally connected, and dogs Z, engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a permutation-lock, the combination, with a case A, of ratchet-wheels C, each having a deepened space t between two of its teeth, spindles B, with which the ratchetwheels are connected, guides f and g, respectively, on the spindles and case and serving to indicate by their relative positions the starting-points from which to turn the spindles`to acquire the combination,pivotal arms D, carrying pins fn, normally engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels, a bar E, with which the free ends of the arms D are pivotally connected, dogs Z, engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels, a spring-bolt G, means, substantially as described, for actuating the spring-bolt, and a pivotal dog F, extending at one end into the path of the bar E and at 'its opposite end into engagement with the bolt G, substantially as set forth.

4L. In a permutation-lock, the combination, with a case A, of ratchet-wheels G, each having a deepened space z5 between two of its teeth, spindles B, with which the ratchetwheels are connected, guides f and g, respectively on the spindles and case and serving to indicate by their relative positions the starting-points from which to turn the spindles to acquire the combination, pivotal arms D, carrying pins n, normally engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels, a bar E, with which the free ends of the arms D are pivotally connected, dogs l, engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels, a spring-bolt G, means, v

substantially as described, for actuating the spring-bolt, a pivotal dog F, extending at one end into the path of the bar E and at its opposite end into normal engagement with the bolt G, and a cam I adjacent to the rear end of the dog F and provided with means for turning it, substantially as set forth.

5. A permutation-lock comprising, in combination, a case A, having a cover q, provided with apertures y, and containing ratchetwheels C, each having a deepened space t between two of its teeth, spindles B, eX-

tending into the case from the outer side thereof, through the wheels C, and having threaded openings in their ends containing screws 0, coinciding with the openings y in the cover and serving to secure the wheels and spindles adjustably together, guides f and g, respectively, on the spindles and outer vside of the case, pivotal'arms D, carrying pins n, normally engaging with the teeth of the ratchet-wheels, a bar E, pivotally' supported on the arms D toward their free ends, dogs Z, engaging with the teeth ofthe ratchetwheels, a spring-bolt G, having a shoulder t on itshead, means, substantially as described, for actuating the spring-bolt, a pivotal dog F, extending at one end into the path of the bar E and at its opposite end into normal engagement with the shoulder t', and a cam I, adjacent to the rear end of the dog F and provided at the inner side of the lock with means for turning it, the whole being constructed and arranged to operate substantially as described.

MORTIMER B. MILLS:

In presence of M. J. BOWERS, J. W. DYRENFORTH.

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